Blind fastener with integrated anti-rotation feature, systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Fasteners and related systems according to the invention include a collet body having a first part of a two part anti-rotation arrangement and a cylinder body having a second part of the two part anti-rotation arrangement wherein the collet body and the cylinder body are mateably axially translatable with respect to each other, and have the same or similar outer diameter in some embodiments or not in others. A threaded member rotationally engages the collet body and compressively contacts the cylinder body during operation of the fastener to creating a clamping effect. Rotational interference between the first and second parts of the anti-rotation arrangement preferably occurs at sectional face portions of at least the collet body. Resistance to induced rotation of the cylinder body relative to a work piece rotation of the threaded member is preferably provided by a tool engaging a tool interface present on the cylinder body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/118,326 entitled “BLIND FASTENER WITH INTEGRATEDANTI-ROTATION FEATURE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed on Aug. 30, 2018, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/652,168 entitled “BLIND FASTENERWITH INTEGRATED ANTI-ROTATION FEATURE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” and filedon Jul. 17, 2017. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/652,168 is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/231,951 entitled“BLIND FASTENER WITH INTEGRATED ANTI-ROTATION FEATURE, SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS,” and filed on Sep. 13, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,709,085. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/231,951 is a continuation-in-part ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2010/000802 entitled “BLINDFASTENER WITH INTEGRATED ANTI-ROTATION FEATURE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS,”and filed on Mar. 15, 2010. International Patent Application No.PCT/US2010/000802 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/210,007 entitled “BLIND FASTENER WITH INTEGRATED ANTI-ROTATIONFEATURE,” and filed on Mar. 13, 2009. The entire contents of each of theabove-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new generation of blind fasteners permits non-permanent association ofat least two work pieces through the use of a single dimensioned colletbody wherein each work piece has a defined range of possible thicknessesand thus defines a bore or hole of variable depth. See the disclosurefound in WO 03/069971 (application number PCT/US03/02925), which isincorporated herein by reference. In such embodiments, a single colletbody interacts directly with, or indirectly, for example, through asleeve insert mechanically linked to, at least one work piece to preventunintended rotation of the collet body during axial association and/ordisassociation of the at least two work pieces, while axial translationthere between remains comparatively unaffected. Thus, at least one workpiece constitutes a mechanical ground to provide a means for counteringany torque moment that may be induced into the collet body during axialassociation and/or disassociation of the at least two work pieces. Thisrotational interference between the collet body and at least one workpiece constitutes a two part Anti-Rotation Means (“ARM”) wherein thecollet body comprises a first part and the work piece (or intermediatepiece such as a sleeve insert) comprises a second part of the two partARM.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to fasteners for use in associating,preferably compressively or closely in stacked fashion, at least twowork pieces from a single side of one work piece wherein each work piecehas a range of possible thicknesses, and consequently each work piecedefines a bore or hole of variable length. The invention is furtherdirected to methods for using the above fastener and systems furthercomprising a stud threadably engageable therewith. Fastener embodimentsof the invention comprise a collet body and a cylinder body that areaxially matable with each other over a range of displacements, as willbe described in detail below. In other words, the distance between oneend of the collet body and an opposing end of the cylinder body isvariable while the two bodies are in operative contact with each other.

In contrast to the prior art blind fasteners, methods and systemswherein at least one work piece directly (or indirectly through, forexample, a bonded sleeve insert) provided a mechanical ground for thesecond part of a two-part ARM, the mechanical ground in the presentinvention presents from a frame of reference independent from the workpieces, or structures linked or coupled thereto. In the presentinvention embodiments, the cylinder body comprises an interface forreceiving a temporary anti-rotation tool that prevents induced rotationof the cylinder body during association and/or disassociation of the atleast two work pieces.

As used herein with respect to the present invention and unlessotherwise specified, a two part ARM comprises first and secondstructures moveable relative to one another, each structure having onepart of the ARM, and each part of which includes at least one reactivesurface, although plural reactive surfaces are generally considereddesirable for load distribution reasons. During engagement of the twoparts, at least one each of the respective reactive surfacesmechanically contact each other to prevent complete, e.g., 360.degree,rotation of one structure relative to the other structure. In otherwords, at least one each of the reactive surfaces is configured toconstructively contact one another in order to prevent complete rotationbetween structures. While a 1:1 correspondence between complementaryreactive surfaces is considered optimal, the ARM only requires that atleast one reactive surface from each structure beneficially engage eachother. Additional limitations should not be inferred from suchconfiguration: for example, an ARM may permit axial/longitudinaltranslation the first and second structures while preventing completerotation there between.

With the foregoing in mind, each fastener and system embodiment of theinvention comprises a collet body having a first part of a two part ARMand a cylinder body having a second part of a two part ARM wherein thecollet body and the cylinder body are matably axially translatable withrespect to each other, but not rotatable with respect to each other.Unlike the prior art, however, the rotational interference between thefirst and second parts of the ARM does not occur on an exterior surfaceof both bodies, but at sectional face portions of at least the colletbody.

Collet bodies according to the various invention embodiments comprise afirst end defining a generally circular opening and a first wall portionadjacent to the first end, where the first wall portion has an interiorsurface, an exterior surface, a protrusion extending from the exteriorsurface including a leading face oriented towards the first end and atrailing face oriented away from the first end. In addition, the firstwall portion defines at least two secondary slots extendinglongitudinally from the first end to respective terminus to form atleast two flexible fingers, each having a distal end at the first end.The collet body also comprises a second end defining a generallycircular opening and a second wall portion adjacent to the second end,where the second wall portion has an interior surface and an exteriorsurface. In the several embodiments, one of the first wall portion, thesecond wall portion or the first wall portion and second wall portioninterior surface(s) include(s) a threaded portion for threadablyengaging a threaded stud in order to form a blind fastening system. Aswill be described in more detail below, the stud may be removable orcaptive with relationship to the collet body.

Collet bodies according to the various invention embodiments furthercomprise the first part of a two part ARM, which rotationally interfereswith the second part of the two part ARM present in the cylinder body.The first part of the two part ARM in the various invention embodimentscomprises sectional face portions of at least one segment of the colletbody second wall portion. The at least one segment is formed in thesecond wall portion by at least one ARM slot extending from the outersurface thereof to the inner surface thereof (thus, the second end issegmented in a manner analogous to the first end); alternatively stated,the at least one ARM slot is defined, in part, by the section faceportions of the at least one segment. The at least one ARM slot extendslongitudinally from the second end towards the first end, and preferablyterminates prior to the terminus of the secondary slots that form thecollet body fingers in order to better provide structural integrity tothe collet body. Many embodiments comprise at least two, and preferablyfour, second wall segments bounded by a similar number of ARM slots.

The skilled practitioner will appreciate that a sectional face portionin certain collet body embodiments need not be established exclusivelyby a slot extending wholly from an exterior to an interior surface ofthe second wall portion. It is sufficient that a majority of thesectional thickness of the second wall portion be exposed such as byformation of a deep channel or groove either during manufacturing of thecollet body or during post manufacture milling. Moreover, theorientation of the sectional face portion is preferably, although notnecessarily, parallel to a radial line from the axis of the collet bodyin order to minimize shear forces and maximize segment stiffness.

In addition to the foregoing, collet bodies according to many inventionembodiments have a generally consistent maximum outside first and secondwall portion diameters along the axial direction when the collet bodyfingers are in their intended “in use” state. In particular, manyinvention embodiments have a generally constant maximum second wallportion outside diameter from the second end towards the first end,which is preferably maintained at least until the second wall portiontransitions to the first wall portion, excluding any intended fingerconvergence imparted for ease of collet body insertion into a bore orhole of a work piece.

Cylinder bodies according to a variety of fastener embodiments comprisea first end defining a generally circular opening and a first wallportion adjacent to the first end, where the first wall portion has aninterior surface and an exterior surface. In addition, the first wallportion comprises sectional face portions of at least one segment toestablish the second part of the two part ARM. The at least one segmentis formed in the second wall portion by at least one ARM slot extendingfrom the outer surface thereof to the inner surface thereof;alternatively stated, the at least one ARM slot is defined, in part, bythe section face portions of the at least one first wall segment. The atleast one ARM slot extends longitudinally from the first end towards asecond end, where the second end defines a generally circular openingand a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, where the secondwall portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Dependingupon the embodiment, the second end further comprises a flange portion,either continuous or segmented, that extends radially outward from thesecond end and includes an anti-rotation tool interface or comprises anon-circular exterior surface for interfacing with an anti-rotationtool. In certain other embodiments, the first end and/or any wallportion exterior surface comprises an anti-rotation tool interface.

The skilled practitioner will again appreciate that a sectional faceportion in certain cylinder body embodiments need not be establishedexclusively by a slot extending wholly from an exterior to an interiorsurface of the first wall portion. It is sufficient that a majority ofthe sectional thickness of the first wall portion be exposed such as byformation of a deep channel or groove either during manufacturing of thecylinder body or during post manufacture milling. Moreover, theorientation of the sectional face portion is preferably, although notnecessarily, parallel to a radial line from the axis of the cylinderbody in order to minimize shear forces and maximize segment stiffness.

In a first series of fastener embodiments, the cylinder body slotsseparating the cylinder body segments extend from the exterior to theinterior surface of the first wall portion thereof and are configured sothat at least some of the sectional face portions of the cylinder bodyfirst wall segments rotationally interfere with the sectional faceportions of the collet body second wall when the two bodies areoperatively mated together. Because of the presumed full contact betweenrespective sectional face portions of each respective segment, themaximum outside diameters of the cylinder body first wall portion andthe collet body second wall portion are preferably similar, and mostpreferably substantially similar. In other words, the maximum externaldiameter of the cylinder body at its first end is generally equal to themaximum external diameter of the collet body at its second end whereinat least some, and preferably all, cylinder segments occupy collet bodyARM slots. In this manner, it is possible to have a constant externaldiameter between the collet body and the cylinder body about therespective ARM portions thereof, resulting in the ability of the twopart ARM to reside internal to the work piece bore or hole whilemaintaining close fit opportunities, and thereby minimize shearopportunities between the work pieces. From a practical perspective,this means that a single diameter bore or hole can be formed in the atleast two work pieces, that no additional structure such as a sleeveinsert need be accounted for, and that a stud, which is used to axiallytranslate the two bodies, need not contact any work piece (an extendinglip or flange portion of the cylinder body at its second end necessarilyextends radially outward and beyond the work piece periphery definingthe hole or bore at the surface thereof to function as the mechanicalground interface, as described in more detail below, and therefore alsofunctions as an intermediate structure between the stud head and theproximate work piece).

In a second series of embodiments, the cylinder body has a maximumexternal diameter at its first wall exterior surface that is greaterthan that of the collet body, thereby preventing it from entering workpiece bore or hole that is sized only receive the collet body. As aconsequence, the functional portions of the ARM reside external to thework pieces. In these embodiments, sectional face portions of the colletbody segments (the first part of the ARM) rotationally interfere withsectional face portions of the cylinder body segments, however, thesegments are bounded by, for example, grooves formed in the innersurface of the cylinder body first wall. Similarly, the segments formlands that occupy the collet body slots formed in the second wallportion thereof (the second part of the ARM). Alternatively stated, thecollet body first part of the ARM engages with a spline arrangementformed in the cylinder body first wall, and itself may also be a splinearrangement, there being no requirement for maintaining maximum outerdiameter similarity between the collet body second wall and the cylinderbody first wall. As with the first series embodiments, the stud headwill contact the cylinder body at its second end and exert a compressionforce thereon for transfer to the proximately positioned work piece, andcreate tension in the collet body to thereby cause the work pieceproximate to its first end to go into compression, as is appreciated bythe skilled practitioner.

A third series of embodiments represents a hybrid of the first andsecond series. Here, a portion of the cylinder body first wall has anexternal diameter substantially equal to that of the collet body secondend external diameter so that sectional portions of the collet bodyrotationally interfere with sectional portions of the cylinder body.However, the cylinder body external diameter increases towards itssecond end such that internal grooves of the first and/or second wallportion(s) receive the collet body segments, and corresponding landsoccupy the slots formed in the collet body second wall portion (e.g.,internally formed splines).

In many embodiments, it is also desirable to have translation arrestingmeans to prevent unintended separation between the collet body and thecylinder body. Particularly with respect to the first series inventionembodiments, an inwardly projecting lip or step may be formed at or nearthe cylinder body first end to retain the mating association between thecollet body and the cylinder body. It may be formed at the first end(sectional portions), or proximate thereto as a segmented annularprotrusion formed on the interior surface of the first wall sectionalportions. This segmented lip, protrusion or step is intended to reducethe internal diameter of the cylinder body to a degree sufficient tostill permit bidirectional translation of the collet body therewith, butinterfere with any structure spanning the collet body ARM slots. Becauseit is necessary to first mate the collet body with the cylinder body,the spanning structure is preferably introduced after matingassociation. In one series of embodiments, a groove is formed in theinner surface of the collet body second wall at or near the second endto receive a retaining ring. After meshing engagement between the twobodies, the retaining ring is introduced and there after preventsunintended disassociation of the two bodies due to its interference withthe lip, protrusion or step of the cylinder body.

In various passages above, the disclosure referenced a stud forrotationally engaging the collet body, to thereby transform its rotationinto collet body (and due to its captive association and intermeshingARM, the cylinder body as well) axial translation. A stud can beremovably introduced into the cylinder body and collet body, and engagedwith the threads formed on the interior surface of the second wallportion and/or transition zone. However, insertion and removal of thefastener and/or assembly is facilitated if the stud is retained with thefastener to form a system. By introducing a bushing or other structureat a distal end of the stud after full insertion into the collet body,the bushing will not translate past the threaded portion of the colletbody, thereby preventing the stud from backing out of the collet body.

For purposes of this patent, the terms “area”, “boundary”, “part”,“portion”, “surface”, “zone”, and their synonyms, equivalents and pluralforms, as may be used herein and by way of example, are intended toprovide descriptive references or landmarks with respect to the articleand/or process being described. These and similar or equivalent termsare not intended, nor should be inferred, to delimit or define per seelements of the referenced article and/or process, unless specificallystated as such or facially clear from the several drawings and/or thecontext in which the term(s) is/are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first fastener systemembodiment according to the invention wherein a collet body and matablecylinder body, a threaded stud and matable bushing, and a retaining ringare shown;

FIGS. 2A-C show the fastener system of FIG. 1 in an initial state, anintermediate state, and a final state, respectively;

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate the fastener system of FIGS. 2A-C with the severalparts shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the components comprising thefirst fastener embodiment prior to initial assembly, with arrows showingthe intended mating engagement there between;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mated components of FIG. 4 prior tointroduction of a retaining ring into a retaining groove formed in asecond end of the collet body;

FIG. 5a is a detailed perspective view of the retaining groove formed inthe collet body second end;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mated components of FIG. 4 afterintroduction of the retaining ring into the retaining groove formed inthe second end of the collet body;

FIG. 6a is a detailed perspective view of the retaining ring in theretaining groove formed in the collet body second end;

FIG. 6b is a side elevation view of the cylinder body particularlyshowing a translation arresting step or lip formed in the first endthereof;

FIGS. 7A-C show the fastener arrangement of FIG. 6, in phantom, in aninitial state, an intermediate state, and a final state, respectively;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 6 prior tointroduction of a threaded stud there into;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 8 afterintroduction of the threaded stud there into and prior to association ofa bushing onto a distal end of the stud to form the first fastenersystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view in phantom of a second fastener systemembodiment according to the invention wherein a collet body and matablecylinder body, and a threaded stud and matable bushing are shown in aninitial state;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the fastener system of FIG. 10A shownin an intermediate state;

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the fastener system of FIG. 10A shownin a final state;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view in phantom of a third fastener systemembodiment according to the invention wherein a collet body and matablecylinder body, and a threaded stud and matable bushing are shown in aninitial state;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the fastener system of FIG. 11A shownin an intermediate state; and

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the fastener system of FIG. 11A shownin a final state.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

Preface: The terminal end of any numeric lead line in the severaldrawings, when associated with any structure or process, reference orlandmark described in this section, is intended to representativelyidentify and associate such structure or process, reference or landmarkwith respect to the written description of such object or process. It isnot intended, nor should be inferred, to delimit or define per seboundaries of the referenced object or process, unless specificallystated as such or facially clear from the drawings and the context inwhich the term(s) is/are used. Unless specifically stated as such orfacially clear from the several drawings and the context in which theterm(s) is/are used, all words and visual aids should be given theircommon commercial and/or scientific meaning consistent with the contextof the disclosure herein.

With the foregoing in mind, the following description is presented toenable a person skilled in the art to make and use the claimedinvention. Various modifications to the described embodiments will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdisclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments and applicationsthereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the appended claims. Thus, the claimedinvention is not intended to nor should be limited to the disclosedand/or described embodiments, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Turning then to the several embodiments, wherein like numerals indicatelike parts, and more particularly to FIG. 1 wherein a first fastenersystem embodiment is shown. Blind fastener system 10 is shown comprisingcollet body 20, cylinder body 80, and stud 120. In addition to theportions and features described in detail below, collet body 20 alsoincludes removable locking ring 72, and stud 120 also includes bushing142. Unless otherwise indicated, all components of system 10 areconstructed from a durable material such as any combination of metals orreinforced polymers, although high strength metallic alloys arepreferred.

As best presented in FIGS. 4-6 b, collet body 20 includes first end 22,which forms a first boundary for first wall portion 24. First wallportion 24 includes interior surface 26 and exterior surface 28, thelatter of which includes annular protrusion 30 comprising leading face32 and trailing face 34. A plurality of fingers 40 are formed in firstwall portion 24 by secondary slots 36, each of which longitudinallyextends from first end 22 to a terminus 38. As a consequence, featurespresent at or near first end 22 are segmented in nature, although theymay be referenced herein without consideration of such state, e.g.,annular protrusion 30 is technically segmented, but not specificallyreferenced as such. Each finger 40 includes two exposed sectionalportions referred to herein as finger face portions 42.

Adjacent first wall portion 24 is transition zone 44, which comprisesinterior surface 46 and exterior surface 50. As shown in the severalFigures, interior surface 46 includes threads 48 formed therein. As willbe described in greater detail below, threads 48, in combination withother threads, engage complementary threads of a stud to transformrotational motion of the stud into axial motion of the collet body.

Adjacent transition zone 44 is second wall portion 54, which is boundedby second end 52, which includes a surface there at. Second wall portion54 includes interior surface 56, which like interior surface 46 includesthreads (58) formed therein. Interior surface 56 further definescircumferential retaining ring groove 60 for receiving retaining ring72. Exterior surface 62 preferably has a generally constant diameterfrom transition zone 44 to second end 52.

A plurality of segments 70 are formed in second wall portion 54 by ARMslots 64 that extend from interior surface 56 to exterior surface 62,each of which longitudinally extends from second end 52 to a terminus66. Each segment 68 includes two exposed sectional portions referred toherein as segment face portions 68. A segment face portion 68 may be,and is preferably, substantially planar in geometry, and oriented to besubstantially parallel to a radial line of the collet body.

The second part of a basic fastener according to this inventionembodiment is cylinder body 80. Cylinder body 80 is bounded in thelongitudinal direction by first and second ends 82 and 100,respectively, wherein each end defines one limit of respective first andsecond wall portions 84 and 102, and wherein each wall portion hasinterior and exterior surfaces (first wall portion 84 comprises interiorsurface 86 and exterior surface 90; second wall portion 102 comprisesinterior wall portion 104 and exterior wall portion 106). Interiorsurface 86 at first end 82 includes (segmented) lip or step 88, which,as will be described in the following paragraph, operatively contactsretaining ring 72. Interior surface 104 includes seat portion 108, whichfunctions to transfer compression force from a stud to a work piece thatis in contact with flange portion 110.

To achieve the fastening systems shown in FIGS. 2A-C and 3A-C from thecomponents shown in FIG. 1, collet body 20 and cylinder body 80 aremated as shown in FIG. 4. Here, collet body 20 is axially mated withcylinder body 80 through the meshing of respective segments 70 and 98within respective ARM slots 64 and 92. Once meshed to a maximum extentsuch that second end 52 of collet body 20 presents to second end 100 ofcylinder body 80 (see FIGS. 5 and 5 a), retaining ring 72 is introducedinto groove 60 (see FIGS. 6 and 6 a). Once inserted, collet body 20 andcylinder 80 are securely associated with each other by the interferencebetween lip or step 88 of cylinder 80 and retaining ring 72 of colletbody 20, as is best shown in the series of FIGS. 7A-C, which show therange of translation between these two parts.

Once collet body 20 has been securely associated with cylinder 80, stud120 can be introduced there into. Turning to FIG. 8, stud 120 includesfirst or distal end 122 and reduced diameter portion 124 proximatethereto. At the opposite end of the stud is second or proximal end 130,which includes head 134. Head 134 in turn includes seat portion 136,peripheral or shoulder portion 138 and tool interface 140. Between theseto ends are non-threaded portion 132 and body portion 126, whichincludes threads 128.

Upon insertion of stud 120 into cylinder 80 and collet body 120 as shownin FIG. 9, bushing 142 is fitted over reduced diameter portion 124. Themaximum outer diameter of exterior surface 148 is preferably the same asthat of threads 128. The longitudinal distance between distal end 144and proximal end 146 is preferably commensurate with the intendedworking range of fastener system 10, e.g., the longitudinal distancebetween second end 52 and a terminus 66 of collet body 20. Thisrelationship beneficially preserves the integrity of threads 128 so thatthe fastener system can be reused many times if desired. Bushing 142also functions to retain stud 120 with the subassembly (basic fastener)of collet body 20 and cylinder body 80. This retention feature furtherfacilitates reuse of the system by permitting easy removal of the systemform its work pieces.

When the components of FIG. 1 are assembled as described above, theresulting system in various stages of axial association are best shownin FIGS. 2A-C and 3A-C. It should be noted that the arrangementdescribed so far can be extended to alternative embodiments. Once suchalternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10A-C wherein collet body 20′is used in connection with fastener system 210. Collet body 20′ isidentical to collet body 20 except that the second wall portion islongitudinally lengthened and there is no retaining ring due to stud 220having bushing 142′ retaining collet body 20′ and stud head 234 beingheld captive by outer sleeve portion 250. Cylinder body 280, however,has formed therein a plurality of lands and grooves (splines) havingsegment face portions generally of the same radial depth as the segmentface portions of collet body 20′. However, the channels or grooves thatbound the slots are shielded by an outer sleeve portion 250. A similararrangement exists with respect to fastener system 310, although itextends the internal lands to form exposed segments 398, similar instructure and function to segments 98 in fastener system 10 describedpreviously. Fastener system 310 is considered a hybrid between fastenersystems 10 and 210.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A blind fastener system, comprising: acylinder body including: an outer housing shielding a plurality ofgrooves; and a collet body including: a plurality of flexible fingers;and a plurality of collet body segments and a plurality of collet bodyslots positioned between the plurality of collet body segments; whereinone or more of the plurality of collet body slots extends from aninterior surface of the collet body to an exterior surface of the colletbody; wherein, in an unclamped configuration, the plurality of colletbody slots is axially spaced away from the cylinder body; and whereinthe plurality of collet body slots and segments mate with the pluralityof grooves in the cylinder body to allow axial translation between thecylinder body and the collet body while preventing rotation between thecollet body and the cylinder body.
 2. The blind fastener system of claim1, wherein the plurality of grooves include a plurality of segment faceportions with a radial depth similar to a radial depth of a plurality ofsegment face portions of the plurality of collet body segments.
 3. Theblind fastener system of claim 1, further comprising a stud including athreaded portion engaging a threaded portion in the interior surface ofthe collet body.
 4. The blind fastener system of claim 3, wherein thestud includes a head and the outer sleeve portion captively holds thehead in the cylinder body.
 5. The blind fastener system of claim 4,wherein the stud comprises a bushing retaining the collet body.
 6. Theblind fastener system of claim 3, wherein the stud includes a toolinterface.
 7. The blind fastener system of claim 1, wherein the blindfastener system does not include a retaining ring.
 8. The blind fastenersystem of claim 1, wherein the outer housing includes a lip configuredto contact a work piece when in a clamped configuration.
 9. The blindfastener system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flexiblefingers includes an annular protrusion configured to contact a workpiece.
 10. The blind fastener system of claim 1, wherein the outerhousing includes an upper section having a plurality of planar faces.11. A blind fastener system, comprising: a cylinder body including: anouter housing shielding a plurality of grooves; a collet body including:a plurality of flexible fingers; and a plurality of collet body segmentsand a plurality of collet body slots positioned between the plurality ofcollet body segments, wherein each of the plurality of collet body slotsextends from an interior surface of the collet body to an exteriorsurface of the collet body; and a stud including a threaded portionengaging with a threaded portion in the interior surface of the colletbody; wherein, in an unclamped configuration, the plurality of colletbody slots is axially spaced away from the cylinder body; and whereinthe plurality of collet body slots and segments mate with the pluralityof grooves in the cylinder body to allow axial translation between thecylinder body and the collet body while preventing rotation between thecollet body and the cylinder body.
 12. The blind fastener system ofclaim 11, wherein the plurality of grooves include a plurality ofsegment face portions with a radial depth similar to a radial depth of aplurality of segment face portions of the plurality of collet bodysegments.
 13. The blind fastener system of claim 11, wherein the studcomprises a bushing retaining the collet body.
 14. The blind fastenersystem of claim 11, wherein the stud includes a tool interface.
 15. Theblind fastener system of claim 11, wherein the blind fastener systemdoes not include a retaining ring.
 16. The blind fastener system ofclaim 11, wherein the stud includes an upper non-threaded portion. 17.The blind fastener system of claim 11, wherein the outer housingincludes a lip configured to contact a work piece when in a clampedconfiguration and each of the plurality of flexible fingers include anannular protrusion configured to contact the work piece.
 18. A blindfastener system, comprising: a cylinder body including: an outer housingshielding a plurality of lands and grooves; a collet body including: aplurality of flexible fingers; and a plurality of collet body segmentsand a plurality of collet body slots that are positioned between theplurality of collet body segments, wherein each of the plurality ofcollet body slots extends from an interior surface to an exteriorsurface of the collet body; and a stud including: a threaded portionengaging with a threaded portion in the interior surface of the colletbody; a head coupled to the threaded portion of the stud, wherein theouter sleeve portion captively holds the head in the cylinder body; anda bushing retaining the collet body; wherein, in an unclampedconfiguration, the plurality of collet body slots is axially spaced awayfrom the cylinder body; and wherein the plurality of collet body slotsand segments mate with the plurality of lands and grooves in thecylinder body to allow axial translation between the cylinder body andthe collet body while preventing rotation between the collet body andthe cylinder body.
 19. The blind fastener system of claim 18, whereinthe outer housing includes an upper section having a plurality of planarfaces.
 20. The blind fastener system of claim 18, wherein the blindfastener system does not include a retaining ring.